78 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



Nearly all of this was the joint work of Baird and Girard, but Baird 

 alone published a paper describing many new lizards in 1859. I find 

 that 28 genera and about 120 species were introduced as new; of these, 

 11 genera and 34 species have been treated by Cope as synonyms. 



Fishes. — Aside from the popular and economic work, Baird pub- 

 lished descriptive works on fishes during the years 1853 to 1855, almost 

 all the work being done jointly with Girard. Fifty-seven species and 

 subspecies were proposed; 34 of these stand to-day as valid, according 

 to Jordan and Evermann. Of six genera proposed as new, three stand 

 as proposed, and a fourth as a subgenus. Most of the work relates to 

 fresh-water fishes, but in 1854 Baird spent an eventful six weeks on 

 the coasts of New Jersey and Long Island, and subsequently published 

 a list of the marine species obtained. It is surprising to find that as 

 the result of so brief an examination of such a supposedly well-known 

 region it was possible to announce a new genus and seven new species. 

 Two of the species have proved not valid, but the others are good, and 

 no less than three of them have been made by Gill the types of new 

 genera, making, with the genus described in the paper cited, four new 

 genera as a result of the six weeks' work. 



It must not be imagined that invertebrate zoology, botany, anthro- 

 pology and other kindred subjects were neglected. Baird had a good 

 general knowledge of all these, and, in particular, made himself 

 familiar with the different workers all over the country, and sought 

 their cooperation. Thus in his hands the museum actively prompted 

 many branches of science, and a broad and stable foundation was laid. 

 Dr. W. H. Dall, in The Nation of December 1, 1887, has eloquently 

 described this phase of Baird's activities, and I can not do better than 

 to quote his words : 



To make this policy (of wide cooperation) a success, such as it eventually 

 became, required qualifications of no ordinary kind. Not only must the work 

 of mediation be guided by the most advanced biological science of the time, 

 but the individual intrusted with it must possess a spirit of impartial liberality, 

 tempered by a sound discretion in business methods; a thorough knowledge and 

 just estimate of men; an untiring patience to meet the peculiarities and 

 caprices of the independent, and often one-sided specialists, whose cooperation 

 was essential; a geniality to enlist the willing but unscientific colaborer; and 

 an instant detection of humbug in every guise. Providentially for the future 

 of natural science in this country, the need and the man met in the selection of 

 Professor Baird. In qualifications for the work he stood preeminent — head 

 and shoulders above any man of his time, and perhaps above all the scientific 

 men of any time. He joined to a marvelous faculty for systmatizing business 

 a capacity for study and continuous work only limited by his waking hours. 

 His frank, genial and wholly unaffected manner put the scientist and the labor- 

 ing man alike at ease. Always busy, he yet always seemed to have time for a 

 friendly chat with every comer. His memory appeared an inexhaustible store- 



